Magnesium lithospermate B decreases [Ca(2+)]i in endothelial cells by inhibiting K(+) currents.

Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) is a hydrophilic active component of Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix. Studies have shown that MLB affected intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i), but the underlying mechanism was unclear yet. The present work was aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of MLB affecting [Ca(2+)]i in endothelial cells (ECs). Isolated mesentery arteries were employed to test the involvement of L-Ca(2+) channel. [Ca(2+)]i was measured in ECs loaded with Fluo-3. Membrane potential and membrane currents were recorded in ECs using patch-clamp techniques. Results showed that MLB did not inhibit Ca(2+) influx via L-Ca(2+) channel in isolated mesenteric arteries. However, MLB decreased [Ca(2+)]i in a concentration-dependent manner in ECs. MLB depolarized the membrane potential of ECs and inhibited K(+) currents. These results demonstrated that MLB decreased [Ca(2+)]i by inhibiting K(+) currents and depolarizing membrane potential in ECs.